Improvement in peat-pressing machines



4 Sheets.-Sheet1.

B,LEACH. PEAT'PRESSING MACHINE.

Pazentec1Sept.12,1876.

No.182,205f

4 M 3; WW s a I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. V B. LEACH. "a FEAT PRESS ING MACHINE. I No.18 Z,ZO5. I Patented Sept.12,1876.

flies!" Invent N. PETERS, PHOTO LITNOGNAPHER, WASHINGTON D C.

'4 Sheds-Sheet 3.

B. LEACH.-

- I PEAT PRESSING MACHINE.

No.182,ZO-5, Patented Sept. 12, 1876.

Fig.3

T 4SheetS-Sheet4. B. LEACH.

Fig. '5.

EEWA

.152 Va n10?" N- PETERS, FHOTO-LH'HOGRAFH ER, WASHINGTON UNITED} STATES PATENT GFFIGE.

BOYINTON LEAGH, or owneo, NEW YORK.

IMPRdVEMENT m PEA T-PREsslNG MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 182,205, dated September 12, 1876; application filed June 13. 1876. i

To all whom it may concern:

thereon.

My invention relates to the pressing of peat into a solid form, to adapt it for, transportation and for use as a fuel, or for pressing other materials for different purposes; and its object is a machine operated byhydraulic pressure, which will press great quantities of peat or other material in a very expeditious manner and at a small cost, and one which will be simple in its construction and operation."

My invention therein consists principally in the combination of a series of reciprocating plungers, operated by hydraulic pressure, and a series of stationary molds, open and unobstructed at their discharge ends; second, in the combination of the stationary molds and the peculiar plungers operated by hydraulic pressure; third, in the combination of two sets of stationary molds and suitable plungers, operated by hydraulic pressure, adapted to operate alternately and forming a double press; fourth, in the peculiar valve for governing the induction and eduction of the pressing-liquid; fifth, in the means for operating the press; and, further, in the several combinations of the various operative parts, all as more fully hereinafter explained.

To enable others skilled in the art to manufacture and use my device, I proceedto describe the same in connection with the draw ings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the principal operative parts of my machine; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same parts; Fig. 3, a vertical central section of the same; Fig. 4, a longitudinal section of one set of the molds detached from the frame of the machine; Fig. 5, a detached sectional view ofthe valve-chest on the line of the valve-stem; and Fig. 6, a sectional view on the line a: a: in Fig. 5.

i j Likeletters denote corresponding parts in each figure.

Arepresents any suitable frame, in the lower part of which are mounted two sets, B B, of stationary molds. Each of these sets is composed of any desired number of cylindrical frictional molds, B open at both ends. These molds may be made in one piece, or in halves bolted together, the latter construction allowing the molds to be cleared of the peat or other material being pressed at any time by loosening the bolts. The molds B may taper a little downwardly, and are mounted, preferably, in a vertical position. Two sets of plungers,.G G, reciprocated vertically'by means hereinafter described, the same in number as the molds B and of size and shape to fill them closely, enter the molds from the top, and, their strok'e not being arbitrary, may pass only part way through the said molds to press the peat, or entirely through the same to force the peat or other material being pressed out of the molds. Opening into the side of each of the molds B below the lower end of the plungers, at the upper limit of their stroke, is a trough, a, in which revolves a spiral feeder, D, to deliver the peat or other material in regular quantities to the molds. These troughs may be placed perpendicular to the molds, or

at any inclination thereto, and extend to suitable hoppers D D placed at a proper dis tance from the molds.

The feeders D are spirals or sections of spirals, adjusted to the size of the molds, and project through the sides of the hoppers, where they are provided with cog-wheels b, engaging with worms or cogs on revolving shafts E E. The feeders for each set ofmolds thus would be revolved together; .but each spiral feeder may be connected with a separate shaft, *and'revolve independently.

The shafts E; E are revolved by suitable belt-connections or gearing, so that the peat or other material is uniformly fed in the def sired quantities through the ports at the ends of the troughs into the molds, and, by suitable connections with the moving parts of the press, the revolution of the. spirals and the feeding of the peat may be stopped while these ports are closed by the plungers.

The peat or other material to be pressed is conveyed into the hoppers by suitable carriers or elevators. (Not shown.) r

In the upper part of the frame are situated two'large cylinders, F F, in which slide the pistons F F suitably packed in the cylinders, closing the lower ends of the same. The pistons are connected,through cross-heads G G, with the two sets of plungers G O, the said cross-heads sliding in ways in the uprights of the frame above the molds. The ends of the cross-heads are connected by rods 0 c with walking-beams H H, and the walking-beams are supported on a shaft, 0 journaled in the frame above the cylinders, so that the two pistons and their coi'inecting-plungers will operate alternately. The upper ends of the cylders F F are closed, except where they connect by the ports 01 d with the valve-chest I. This valve-chest is mounted upon the cylininders, extending part way on each, and the stem 0 of the valve 1' sliding therein is connected with the piston of a small steam-engine, K, which is placed preferably upon the head of one of the cylinders. The valve of this engine is connected, by levers and connecting-rods, with the moving parts of the press, so that the engine will be reversed at the end of the stroke of the plungers, and the valve I moved, and the press thereby reversed. The valve on this engine may also be reversed by the rising of a safety-valve on the pressing-cylinder when the pressure reaches the desired limit.

This engine for moving the main or pressing valve, instead of being operated by steam, as described, may be connected with the induction-pipe leading from the pump into the valvechest, and thus operated by hydraulic pressure instead of steam, its valve, as before stated, being reversed by connection with-the moving parts of the press or with the stem of a safety-valve in oneof the cylinders, weighted to the pressure desired to be used.

Out of the side of the valve-chest I opens the water-induction pipe L leading to the steam pump or pumps, and the eduction-pipe L, of larger diameter than the induction-pipe, connects with an eduction, f, opening through the bottom plate of the valve-chest between the ports d cl. The valve I is rectangular in form, and has its under side hollowed out in the usual manner. This valve moves between thebottom plate of the valve-chest and the cover, the valve being prevented from moving sidewise by ribs g on the bottom plate.

Upon the valve is placed a metallic balancepackin g, h, in. the shape of the top of the same, and sunk into a groove, h, in its top, near the edges thereof. In the groove 71/, under the metallic packing, is placed a thin elastic packing, 2', consisting of rubber, leather, or other suitable material; The metallic packing It moves against the under surface of the valvechest cover, and a thin elastic packing, i, is

in perfect contact with each.

placed between the top of the valve-chest and said cover, so that by forcing the cover down the valve will slide between two surfaces, and That partof the valve surmounted by the metallic packing will not be exposed to the pressure of the water, and an aperture may be made in the -eenter of the valve-chest cover, through which the small leakage of water may pass. The construction of the valve with relation to the ports at d admits of a larger opening for the eduction than is necessary for the induction of the pressing-liquid.

It will be seen that the space for the eduction of the liquid may be so regulated, if desired, as to be always smaller than that" for the induction, thus obtaining a more rapid exhaust of the liquid, and a consequent saving of power and increase of speed. 7

It will thus be seen that the smallest possible surface of the valve will be exposed to the pressure of the water, and that it will have a certainty of motion under any pressure, with a minimum expenditure of power.

Suitable knockers (not shown) may be connected with the moving parts of the press,by which the compressed peat, as it-is forced from the molds, may be knocked off into proper conveyors or knives may be used instead of the knockers, which will cut off the peat, and give a neater finish. i

My machine being constructed as above described, its operation is as follows: The stream of water which operates the hydraulic press receives its force from steam or other force pumps, or from other proper means, the induction-pipe L being connected with the water-eduction port of the pumps, or with the source ofpower. The induction-and eduction of the liquid with relation to the cylinders 11 F is controlled by the balanced valve I, it

being so arranged, as before described, that a.

larger passage is opened for the eduction of the liquid than is required for its induction.

The peat is fed from the hoppers by the revolution of the spirals, first into one set of molds, and the proper resistance being applied to the lower open ends of the molds, the press is started, and the peat is compressed to the desired density, and remains in the molds.

The press being reversed, a like quantity of peat is compressed in the other set of molds in the same manner. This first peat pressed on the starting-plugs acts as a resistance by its frietion in the molds, by which the following peat is pressed, and its length and density regulate the density of the succeeding charges.

While the first peat'is being compressed in the second set of moldsa second-charge is fed into the first set, and, upon the reversing of the press, this peat isforced upon the start ing-plugs, which are pushed out of the molds, and knocked or cut off into carriers, and conveyed to any desired point. This operation is continued, the peat beingfed into one set of molds while the plungers are operating upon mitts;

a s e for the suc of each stroke, but may be throttled down antomatically at the first part of the stroke, as but little power is required at that time. It will thus be seen that by my means peat can be pressed in great quantities in a single machine, and at a great reduction in the cost over the ordinary methods.

It is evident that the position, construction,

and arrangement of many of the parts of my machine may be changed or modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Instead of mounting the cylinders and molds in a vertical position, as described and shown, a single horizontal cylinder may be used, having a piston-rod extending through each end of the cylinder, and connected at each end with a cross-head and series of plungers working in stationary horizontal molds. In this case the peat is'fed into the molds by spirals,

the same as in the vertical press, and the induction and eduction of the'pre'ssing-liquid in relation to the cylinder is controlled by the same means as .used in the vertical This second series of plungers or resistingplungers are entered the desired distance into one end of the molds by the induction of the liquid into the secondary cylinder, and are held in that position by the noncompressibility of the liquid which remains in the cylinder. The peat is then fed into the molds in the desired quantities, when the pressing-plungers descend, and compress the peat in the molds between the two series of plungers.

When the pressure reaches the desired limit the safety-valve in the secondary cylinder rises, allowing the confined liquid to escape and the second series of plungers to recede from the molds. The pressing-plungers continue their stroke and force the peat from the molds, which is then knocked into proper conveyers. When one setof molds is cleared the press is reversed, and the same operation repeated on the other side.. The reversing of the press through siiitable connections opens forced from them, as by my methods, the employment of movable and opening molds is avoided, and the complicated mechanism necessary for their proper working is done away with; also, by the use of stationary molds, less material to give the necessary-strength is required, and the molds can thereby be made cheaper and more durable.

The advantages of using hydraulic pressure,

as applied to the pressing of peat in stationary molds, are numerous, amaximum power being obtained at a minimum cost. By hydraulic pressure the length of the stroke can be adjusted to any point desired The pressure used is not arbitrary, but will, Within the power and capacity of the pumps, adapt itself to the resistance.

Having thus fully described my invention and explained some of its advantages, What I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Ina machine for pressing peat or other material, the combination of a series of reciprocating plungers, operated by hydraulic pressure, and a series of stationary molds, open and unobstructed at. their discharge ends, and of the same, or nearly the same, in-

ternal area throughout, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a machine for pressing peat or other material, the combination of two sets of stationary molds and two sets of reciprocating plungers, operated alternately, and forming a double press, substantiallyasdescribed and shown.

3. In a machine for pressing peat or other a material by hydraulic pressure, the combination of the valve-chest I, the valve I, the metallic packing h, and the elastic packing i and t", substantially as described and shown.

4. Ina machine for pressing peat or other material by hydraulic'pressure, the combina-' tion, with the pressing-cylinders F F, of the valve-chest I, the valve 1, the metallic packing h, the elastic packingi t", the ports (1 d f, and the induction and eduction pipes L L, substantially as described and shown.

5. In a machine for pressing peat or other material by hydraulic pressure, the combination, with the pressing-cylinder, of the small engine K, mounted upon the same, and adapted to control the valve for the induction and eduction of the pressing-liquid, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. y

6. In a machine for pressing peat or other material by hydraulic pressure, the combination of the cylinders F F pistons F F, crossheads- G G, plungers (J G, walking-beams H H and connebting-rods 01,: snjpstantia llj as w This spec i ficationsind and witnassed this described and shown; -12t 1 14day. ot'June, 1876.

7. In amachine for pressing peat 01' other material by hydraulic,pressure, the c0mbi-' v 1 a BOYNTON LEASE.-

nation of the pressing cylindersand pistons, I I the plungers, the stationary molds, and the' Witnesses:

spiral feeders, substantially as described and R. N. DYER, shown. 7

. CHAS}. THURMAN. i 

